A UK-based aviation company has been contracted by Boeing to undertake the initial conversion work on the first two US Air Force E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
In a written parliamentary answer published on 17 February, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said that STS Aviation, based at Birmingham Airport, is already under contract to carry out the early conversion stage on two Boeing 737 aircraft that are intended to be configured as E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control platforms.
Pollard was responding to a question from Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary, who asked whether the Government could confirm that a firm contract had been placed with UK industry to convert two aircraft for end use by the US Air Force. Pollard said: “STS Aviation based at Birmingham airport are under contract from Boeing to undertake initial conversion of the first two USAF E-7 Wedgetail aircraft.”
The response follows a Ministry of Defence press release issued in September 2025 which said the UK was set to build military aircraft for the United States for the first time in more than fifty years, describing the work as a major industrial boost.
The E-7 Wedgetail is a Boeing 737-based airborne early warning aircraft equipped with a multi-role electronically scanned array radar. The platform is currently operated by several allied air forces and has been selected by the UK to replace its retired E-3D Sentry fleet.
However, while the US Air Force has funded development of two prototype aircraft, it remains unclear whether the United States will proceed with a full fleet purchase. Recent US defence budget proposals have signalled a move away from committing to large-scale procurement of the E-7, citing cost growth, schedule concerns and survivability issues, although the programme continues to receive political support in Congress.
At least it keeps the line open so once the DIP/dither crystallises UK can order the other two it should have ordered years ago.
The learning investment is in units #1-3 so 5-7 will be quicker and cheaper with the knowledge and skills built up.
I suspect the US planes, 4 and 5, will differ significantly in their spec from the UK planes, 1-3. If we eventually take on planes 6 and 7 we’ll have to be careful not to dither between the two previous specs, trying to decide what’s the best of each, thereby creating another learning curve, not only for the planes but for training and future maintenance.
Built battle ships faster than its taken to convert 3 aircraft for the UK, money well spent, no AWACS just gap it, then reduce the order number , all part of the grand plan.
This is how Boeing operates, even simple jobs take them ten years to complete, look at Starliner, 777x, 737max.
Everything is ten years late.
Does anyone know if the USAF aircraft are using our two spare radars?
I believe they are going for their own fit out ?
At least that is one bit of self sabotage the US has avoided.. not having a strategic AEWC platform would have been an insane loss of capability for a pacific power.